Here’s our list of adventurous things to do in Penang so you don’t spend your entire weekend eating.

ESCAPE Penang - Speed Racer - Scenic Spots in Penang

Before my recent trip to Penang, I only knew three things about it: good food, lots of street art, and the beach.

So I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that it also had many adventurous experiences too! Zipline through a rainforest, take on the longest water slide in the world, or visit an abandoned hotel — all these and more, only 1.5 hours away from Singapore.

We’ve rounded up 11 exciting things to do in Penang to show you why it’s an underrated travel destination for thrill-seekers!

1) Experience 35+ outdoor activities at ESCAPE Penang

ESCAPE Penang Drone Shot - Cheap Getaways near Singapore

ESCAPE Penang is Malaysia’s biggest adventure park packed with over 35 fun outdoor activities. Think of it like a combination of a water park and a jungle-themed park with rope activities.

ESCAPE Penang - Slide - Things to Do in Penang

Tackle the world’s longest zipline coaster and longest water slide at 1.1km each, scream your hearts out on different water attractions, finish their signature rope obstacle course, and more.

They also have kid-friendly attractions like a lazy river and trampoline-jumping with a bungee cord, making it a perfect getaway even if you’re with family.

Entrance fee: From ~S$54/pax via Klook
Opening hours:
10AM – 6PM, closed on Mon
How to get there:
4min walk from Entopia Butterfly Farm (Google Maps)

2) Take on a 249m-high skywalk at The TOP Penang

The TOP Penang - Rainbow Skywalk - Cheap Getaways in Malaysia

Visit the Rainbow Skywalk located at The TOP Penang’s 68th floor and enjoy spectacular views from 249m above the city.

The TOP Penang - Glass Bottom Skywalk - Things to Do in Penang

With its glass floor, you can literally see the world beneath your feet… definitely not for those who have a fear of heights!

The TOP Skybridge - Things to Do in Malaysia

Or you can head three storeys down to the Skybridge, where you’ll walk along a platform around the tower while strapped to a harness. Both options are a more fun way to take in Penang’s views with your friends.

*Pro-tip: Book the 5 Attractions Pass via Klook, which’ll give you access to the two attractions above, the Observatory Deck, dinosaur-themed museum, and aquarium!

Entrance fee: From ~S$21/pax via Klook (5 attractions)
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM, closing time of attractions vary
How to get there: 6min walk from Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul (Google Maps)

Read also: 4D3N Penang Itinerary for First-timers — Exploring the Iconic George Town and Lesser-known Hidden Gems

3) Go jungle-trekking at Penang National Park

Monkey Beach Bridge - Adventurous Malaysia Itinerary

Photo credit: @searby86 via Instagram

Who else loves going on a hike or trek when they’re abroad? 🙋‍♂️

Penang National Park is one of the best places in Penang for a peaceful nature walk through lush rainforests and pristine natural landscapes.

Monkey Beach - Cheap Getaways near Singapore

Photo credit: alain via Google Maps

The park is home to diverse wildlife so you’ll most probably spot monkeys and colourful birds along the way.

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Turtle Beach - Cheap Getaways near Singapore

Photo credit: Nate Bremmer via Google Maps

It also has many trails that lead to secluded beaches like Pantai Kerachut (Turtle Beach) and Monkey Beach, which are great if you want to veer away from the more crowded Batu Ferringhi Beach. And yes, it’s highly likely you’ll see the creatures the beaches are named after 😉

Entrance fee: RM50/pax (~S$15)
Opening hours: 8AM – 4:30PM, registration closes at 12PM – 1PM
How to get there: 6min drive from ESCAPE Penang (Google Maps)

4) Get up close with snakes at The Snake Temple

Snake Temple - Cheap Getaways near Singapore

Photo credit: @tourismmalaysiahk via Instagram

Ever wanted to know if you’d survive Fear Factor? Visit The Snake Temple for a unique chance to get up close with some slithery snakes.

In this temple, various types of snakes like pit vipers are allowed to roam freely. You’ll spot some of them lounging on the temple’s altars, or hanging from the rafters and trees. Don’t worry: they are generally harmless as they have been de-venomised.

Snake Temple snakes - Things to Do in Penang

Photo credit: Alex Mah via Google Maps

And in case you were wondering, it is a real temple!

Many Buddhists go here every year to pray during Chor Soo Kong’s birthday — the monk whom the temple was built in honour of. Legend says he used to give shelter to snakes, and once it was built, they started seeking refuge there.

Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 9AM – 5:30PM
How to get there: 12min drive from Penang International Airport (Google Maps)

5) Ride a scenic funicular up Penang Hill

Penang Hill Funicular Ride - Penang Itinerary

Experience Penang’s beauty without leaving the city by visiting Penang Hill. At 833m above sea level, expect many opportunities to see beautiful views.

First up: Take the funicular train ride to watch the cityscape and lush greenery unfold below you. Make sure you get on the very end of the train for the best views!

*Pro-tip: Grab drivers don’t usually go up Penang Hill, so riding the funicular is the fastest way to get there. Another alternative is hiking your way up for 2 hours!

The Habitat Penang Hill - Zipline - Short Getaways from Singapore

Photo credit: The Hill Penang via Facebook

For an extra dose of excitement, check out The Habitat Penang Hill for their Flight of the Colugo zipline adventure featuring zipline, rappelling, and rope bridge experiences.

Do check their page or contact them directly for slots as the Flight of the Colugo is subject to availability.

Funicular Ride
Cost:
RM30/pax, round-trip (~S$9)
Opening hours: 6:30AM – 11PM; train runs every 30mins, last trip at 10PM
How to get there: 5min drive from Hillview Cafe Penang Hill (Google Maps)

The Habitat
Entrance fee:
From ~S$7/pax via Klook
Opening hours: 9AM – 9PM, last admission at 6:30PM
How to get there: Walk 10mins to The Habitat from Penang Hill Upper Station (Google Maps)

6) Explore a (possibly) haunted abandoned hotel

Crag Hotel - Stairs - Adventurous Malaysia Itinerary

Channel your inner Scooby-Doo by exploring the abandoned Crag Hotel on Penang Hill.

Urban explorers and photographers who are looking for spine-chilling things to do in Penang may enjoy a trip to this old, once-luxurious hotel, school and sanitarium.

It’s now a bit of a ruin with crumbling walls and overgrown greenery, giving it a really eerie vibe.

Crag Hotel - Things to Do in Penang

Wander through its empty halls and let your imagination run wild — if the stories are to be believed, spirits lurk in some of them.

Crag Hotel Inside - Things to Do in Penang

The carnival-themed decor, out-of-place tree swing, and giant sprawling ants added to my unease, making it my most nerve-wracking experience at The Travel Intern yet!

Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24hrs
How to get there: 18min walk from The Habitat Penang Hill (Google Maps)

7) Learn about ghosts at the Ghost Museum

Ghost Museum - Things to Do in Penang

Delve into Penang’s rich history with the supernatural by visiting the Ghost Museum. This quirky museum has creepy exhibits, spooky displays, and eerie stories of local legends and international ghost tales.

Ghost Museum - Photo Spot - Adventurous Malaysia Itinerary

It’s not a haunted house so we didn’t really expect to be scared, but we did feel the creeps walking through the dimly lit, maze-like museum, especially their Asian ghost section.

Either way, it’s still fun (at least for us) because of the photo-ops you can take with ghost displays and wax figures.

Entrance fee: From ~S$6/pax via Klook
Opening hours: 10AM – 7PM
How to get there: 12min walk from Wonderfood Museum (Google Maps)

8) Explore local villages on a cycling tour

Guided Cycling Tour in Penang - Things to Do in Penang

Photo credit: Klook

Step away from busy ol’ George Town and take a relaxing bike ride through the charming countryside of Balik Pulau.

Through a guided cycling tour, you’ll get to pedal past paddy fields, cow and buffalo farms, a mangrove forest, and more. The tour guide will explain the history of rural Penang by telling stories and personal anecdotes.

Then enjoy a carefully-prepared breakfast made from organic produce from the farms.

Cost: From ~S$39/pax via Klook (min. 2 pax)
Tour timings: 7:30AM – 11:30AM
Pick-up point: Hotel pickup

9) Enjoy water sports at Batu Ferringhi Beach

Batu Ferringhi Beach - Parasailing - Things to Do in Penang

One of the most popular things to do in Penang is visiting Batu Ferringhi Beach because of its clear waters and scenic sunsets. Many luxury resorts are on the beach, making it an ideal beach getaway destination.

On top of dipping your toes in the waters and laying on the sand, make your beach trip more exciting by engaging in some water sports. Try jet skiing, riding a banana boat ride, or like us, go parasailing.

Batu Ferringhi Beach Parasailing - Things to Do in Penang

We had an adrenaline rush feelingthe strong winds blow against our faces while getting towed by a speedboat. And it was a riveting way to see a view of the city!

We pre-booked our parasailing session via Klook since we wanted to make sure we could do it on that day, in case the beach gets crowded!

Cost: From ~S$42/pax via Klook
Opening hours: 9AM – 7PM, last admission at 4PM
How to get here: 3min walk from Shangri La Golden Sands (Google Maps)

Read also: 12 Gorgeous Beach Resorts near Singapore — Batam, Bintan, Penang & Desaru

10) Experience a food crawl on a Vespa

Penang Food Tour Vespa - Art - Things to Do in Penang

Photo credit: Vespalicious

Ever wanted to “eat like the locals eat“, instead of going to the famous tourist food spots? On this unique nighttime street food Vespa tour, you’ll get to do just that.

Penang Food Tour Vespa - Food - Things to Do in Penang

Photo credit: Vespalicious

Hop on the back of a vintage Vespa and let your driver take you to off-the-beaten eateries, markets, and street vendors to sample the food Penang is famous for.

On top of that, they’ll also take you to notable attractions like the Esplanade, Armenian Street, Gurney Bay, and more.

Cost: From ~S$180/pax via Klook
Meet-up point: Hotel pick-up

11) Go wall-climbing at Project ROCK

Project ROCK - Indoor Climbing - Adventurous Malaysia Itinerary

Photo credit: Project ROCK via Google Maps

Looking for a fun mental and physical challenge? Head to the largest climbing gym in Penang, Project ROCK.

It’s large enough to have both top-rope (with harness) and bouldering (without harness) sections in one space. Walls vary in height and difficulty levels, so it’s perfect for beginners and seasoned climbers alike.

Project ROCK - Cheap Getaways in Malaysia

Photo credit: Tan Zang Xiang via Google Maps

Best part: A day pass here costs ~S$14, which is half the price of most climbing gyms in Singapore, rental shoes included!

Parents can also bring their children here, as the gym has kid-friendly walls for them to try the sport.

Cost: ~S$14/pax via Klook for a day pass
How to get there: 31min drive from Penang International Airport (Google Maps)

Planning your trip to Penang

ESCAPE Penang - Rope Course - Cheap Getaways near Singapore

Penang has always been a popular destination for eating and shopping. And yes, those are some of the best things to do when you’re here. But it’s also a haven for exciting outdoor and indoor adventures — something that not many nearby destinations from Singapore can claim.

Before you fly out for your adventurous getaway in Penang, here are some tips to make sure your trip is as smooth as can be:

1) Pre-book your travel essentials: Always have an eSIM and travel insurance before your trip to save you major inconvenience when you land! We booked ours through Klook to skip queues.

For the eSIM (1GB/5 days, ~S$6), we received a QR code via email after a few minutes so we could activate it once we arrived.

Grab - Scenic Spots in Penang

2) Getting around Penang: The easiest transportation for a group of four is Grab. It’s quite affordable with a 3km ride costing us only RM6 (~S$2). Another option is taking the Rapid Penang Buses or the free shuttle service, which both pass by major tourist landmarks.

3) Find out what to do in Penang beforehand: We’ve visited Penang multiple times throughout the years, so check out our itineraries and guides to help you plan your trip:
4D3N Penang Itinerary for First-timers — Exploring the Iconic George Town and Lesser-known Hidden Gems
Penang Day Trip Guide: Exploring George Town During a Cruise Stopover

The TOP Penang View - Cheap Getaways from Singapore

4) Book activities in advance: To avoid long queues and save money, we pre-booked our tickets for some activities via Klook.

Many of Penang’s top activities and attractions — including ESCAPE Penang, The TOP, and cycling tour — are on their platform. Most of the time, we only had to present our QR code at the entrance of these places and we’re in.

*Pro-tip: Redeem 5% OFF Klook activities for use later, up to 5x. Just enter code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> at checkout. New users get 10% OFF their first booking. T&C’s apply!

Which of these adrenaline-pumping things to do in Penang excites you the most? Let us know in the comments!


This article was brought to you by Klook

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Jeriah Gabriel
As someone who loves films and music, Jeriah wishes life would play a song for him every time he makes a new memory or discovers new places, to fulfill his dream of being a main character.

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